'F.A.L.T.U.' all reviews

By Taran Adarsh, April 1, 2011 - 10:01 IST


Young, lively and satirical. That, in short, summarizes F.A.L.T.U., helmed by director Remo D'Souza [his first Hindi film; he had directed a Bengali film before].

Come to think of it, a number of choreographers - right from Kamal, Saroj Khan, Chinni Prakash and B.H. Tharun Kumar to Farah Khan, Ahmed Khan and Ganesh Acharya - have accepted the challenge of going beyond their boundaries of work. Call it a coincidence, their first attempts have never been musicals or dance-based affairs - something that the viewer would naturally expect from them. Now Remo sets his maiden effort F.A.L.T.U. in a college campus, casts young talents and comes up with a film that has loads of energy, plus a message before it concludes.

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There's talk that F.A.L.T.U. is a mishmash of the 2006 Hollywood movie ACCEPTED. In fact, the Hindi film industry had already made mincemeat of it in a film called ADMISSIONS OPEN, which released last year. It was so poorly crafted that it arrived and departed without making any noise.




Again, ACCEPTED wasn't an original piece of work. It borrowed from two films, ANIMAL HOUSE and CAMP NOWHERE, with a bit of VAN WILDER thrown in. Remo, on the other hand, may be inspired by ACCEPTED [although the story is credited to Sachin Bajaj], but screenplay writers Mayur Puri and Tushar Hiranandani give it a desi feel to suit the Indian sensibilities. Besides, like Rajkumar Hirani's iconic Hit 3 IDIOTS, F.A.L.T.U. drives home a message in its penultimate moments.

F.A.L.T.U. gives its take on the educational system, but it's far from serious and preachy. With foot-tapping songs and energetic choreography [naturally, with Remo at the helm], loads of humor and tremendous youth appeal, F.A.L.T.U. is more of a fun ride that's wildly aimed at the youth in particular. In fact, I'd go to the extent of saying that the film reflects the attitude of Gen X.

On the flip side, the writing could've been tighter. In fact, F.A.L.T.U. vacillates constantly between interesting and implausible moments as four young students decide to set up a fake educational institution within, hold your breath, one day. Also, the writers indulge in too many cinematic liberties, so much so that you lose count after a point. The redeeming aspect is its musical score and the magnificent execution of these tracks.

F.A.L.T.U. is a story of coming of age of today's youth. They don't choose a different path, but create one. It tells the story of a group of friends who are considered a total waste. Thanks to their terrible grades, Jackky, Angad and Pooja don't get admission in a college. That's when Jackky gets a brainwave: Why not start a University with the help of his friends? That's how Fakirchand And Lakirchand Trust University [F.A.L.T.U.] takes shape.

Jackky seeks help from a friend, Arshad Warsi, who in turn gets Riteish Deshmukh, a school teacher, to play the part of the Principal. Jackky's plans go kaput when several academic rejects show up at the door, hoping for an education.

There have been several college comedies in the past and though times have changed, not much has changed when it comes to films set in college campus. And let me add, F.A.L.T.U. doesn't claim to be an innovator too. It's a full-on masala film, more of a fun ride, with the real drama setting in only towards its penultimate moments. Sure, one does feel that F.A.L.T.U. is mired in seen-it-all-before situations, but what saves the film is the masala quotient that doesn't let you take it seriously.

But the film falters at places. Though it thrives on jokes, some of the yarns fall flat and aren't as enjoyable. Besides, like I pointed out at the outset, the film abounds in cinematic liberties. How do the friends raise money to set up a University in a single day? Everything is taken care of in mere 24 hours - right from finding a huge mansion that can pass off as a University, to renovating it, to getting the required furniture, to funding for the accommodation of the students, food, booze et al. Now that seems too hard to digest!

Also, the character of Arshad Warsi comes across as unreal. I mean, how does he have a solution [and money] for every problem?

But despite the absurdities and illogicalities, F.A.L.T.U. strikes a chord towards its final moments. The event in the finale [the choreography is astounding] and Jackky's take on the educational system drives home a bitter truth. The finale, let me add, and prior to that the video interviews of several real-life experts add zing to the proceedings.

Director Remo D'Souza's fundas are clear: Let's entertain! In fact, the film is targeted at the youth and it is this segment that will identify with it more than any age-group. One of the aces of the film is, without doubt, its musical score. Generally, a film-maker considers himself lucky if even one track hits the top charts, but in this case, not one or two, but four songs have become hugely popular with the youth. 'Chaar Baj Gaye' [the anthem of the youth], 'Bhoot Aaya', 'Fully Faltu' and 'Le Ja Tu Mujhe' only prove how skilled and proficient young music composers Sachin-Jigar are. This one's a smash hit score. Besides, Remo's topnotch choreography enhances the impact of the songs. Vijay Arora's cinematography is up to the mark. I'd like to make a special note of the dialogue, which are very well worded at places.

The four youngsters get almost equal prominence in this enterprise. Jackky grabs the opportunity with both his hands and delivers a charming, charismatic performance. His dances boast of unique steps, not the run of the mill kind. Puja looks lovely and enacts her part with utmost confidence. Angad Bedi is a revelation. Ditto for Chandan Roy Sanyal [seen in KAMINEY earlier]. In fact, both Angad and Chandan stand out in their respective parts and are here to stay.

Riteish Deshmukh is bankable as always, while Arshad Warsi does well, although the character isn't well developed. Akbar Khan is decent. Mithun Chakraborty [cameo] and Boman Irani are wonderful. As for the supporting cast, Darshan Jariwala leaves the maximum impact.

On the whole, F.A.L.T.U. banks heavily on the formula that the youth loves. It's funny, energetic and has a big ace in its smash hit musical score. I would go to the extent of saying that the movie works because it doesn't pretend to be path-breaking. It offers what the audience desires: Entertainment!


http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/6962/index.html

Hmm..I kinda had a feeling that this movie might work..but then again it's Taran. Will wait for more reviews..

wow mixed reviews umm

but still the movie sounds intresting..waiting for more reviews

Have already booked tics for Sunday...hope it doesn't disappoint. :)

Hm...it looks alright dunno if I will watch it though lol might do😛

looks like a faltu movie man

Review: Not a FALTU idea after all

Ankur Pathak reviews FALTU. Post YOUR reviews here!

When charting out a film that takes you to the college hallways, introduces an ideal group of 'buddies', and shows all things vibrant and 'happening', the makers are actually hanging by a thin chord; you'd either get the collegian razzmatazz bang right, or there'd be a herd of wannabes belligerently trying to amaze their way into believable adolescents.

In Vashu Bhagnani produced FALTU (it's a naff acronym), which evidently steals inspiration from Steve Pink's 2006 comedy Accepted, Ritesh (Jackky) and Nanj (Angad Bedi) are utterly hopeless when they write exams, and accompanying them is Pooja (Puja Gupta). Just about managing to get clearance with percentages ranging in the bracket of 35-40, the trio faces rejection from every institute, much to the dismay of their respective parents.

This triggers the leading star to think 'innovative', and from what starts just as a token letter of acceptance in Fakeerchand and Lakeerchand Trust University soon cumulates into a big gamble, as the fictitious college website leads to uproar and an army of students -- all other rejects, throng to the campus where they got 'admitted'.

Most of FALTU is pleasing. Although the premise is unrealistic, to stretch the parameters that decide authenticity, the movie convinces you, and moreover, even in its fabricated fashion, it does succeed in confronting the flaws in our educational scenario.

Drawing comparisons with a Rajkumar Hirani [ Images ] film wouldn't be just because, FALTU targets the challenging tour of transition from high school (junior college) to a well-recognised degree institute whereas the latter stressed on the pressures post entering.

FALTU is indeed an underdog story. They are underperformers academically but not wholly uninspired. Their transformation, fuelled by Riteish(Jackky Bhagnani), who is guided by Baaji Rao (Riteish Deshmukh [ Images ]) and Google (Arshad Warsi [ Images ]), is subtle and cleverly brought out.

Thus, after a lot of hullabaloo, there are courses of choice in the college, and here passion compliments the theory, and quite remarkably the film utilises digital exploitation for sundry tutoring benefits, like the videos of experts instructing uploaded on their website. This might not look immediately pragmatic but it isn't far-fetched either.

The film's weakness reflects in its rushed characterization, in fact, their very inception. Like Arshad Warsi's Google's origin is unexplained. Although he is a likeable guy, but you wonder how he is immensely resourceful, monetarily and influentially, as he without much trouble gets the massive college property, and also invests on its gleaming renovation.

Riteish's Baajirao, is initially introduced as a person incapable of responsibility, however by the time the movie cumulates, he comes across as a valuable constituent. Both the actors, share appraisable camaraderie and infuse the much needed youth-like humour. Boman Irani [ Images ], however, as a BMC school principal is under-utilised but evokes occasional giggles. The 3 Idiots hangover doesn't seem to dry off till now.

It might be argued that the over-dramatic background score is mandatory to keep the turn of events pepped up, but at points it drenches the film of seriousness, and portrays it as a frivolous musical dramedy with its recurrent songs, although the music by Sachin -- Jigar is feet-tapping good. Frivolous, the film opens. Run of the mill, the characters debut. But, over a brief period, they attract beguilingly and also take you in sympathetically as you want them to do well. This is pretty much an accomplishment.

Although FALTU's screenplay is openly lifted from Accepted, as the movie terminates it takes its own course resulting into an unexpectedly charming climax that metaphorically demonstrates the teething troubles of students stuck in a just passed to an average category.

The dialogues don't sound contrived, and sensibly enough have been strictly kept measured and under-toned. This helps the film in not getting too preachy and yet be effective.

All you wish was that the story would've been nourished more, fine-tuned here and there.

Jackky Bhagnani's re-launch would after all be successful, as without being dominating, he emits confidence, and portrays the role of the rebellious youth very comfortably. His body-language shows no trace of uneasiness and expressions click and convey.

Angad Bedi is a discovery, whereas Chandan Roy Sanyal soaks Vishnu [ Images ] and arouses humour as the geek-gone-wild. Puja Gupta, facially resembles Prachi Desai [ Images ], but acts mediocrely.

FALTU might not be revolutionary or inspiring, as it attempts to be, that slot primarily reserved to Rang De Basanti [ Images ], but Remo D'Souza's level-headed direction amidst impressively enacted supporting roles by parents of the central characters keeps it uplifted.

An ambitious sophomore story of scholastically dim students coursing an almost impossible journey to prove their worth, enrolling for once in FALTU, might not be a faltu idea after all.

Rediff Rating:3 stars

Review: Romantic comedy 'Faltu' is a laugh riot!
Spicezee Bureau

Ace Bollywood choreographer Remo D'Souza makes his debut as a director with the film 'Faltu', a romantic comedy produced by Vashu Bhagnani.

The film is based on the concept of youngistan, modern youth and their cool approach towards life. In the film, you could expect to see some amazing dance moves for an obvious reason of Remo being its director.

The word 'faltu' means complete waste in Hindi. The very name suggests that the movie is different from the usual comedy films. Apparently, the film cracks joke on our Indian education system. The movie is particularly releasing on the all fool's day, 1st April 2011, to celebrate the funny quotient of the movie.

The story of the film revolves around a group of best friends, who are good at nothing and are permanently marked as failure by the education system. Arshard Warsi is the one with frog eyes, who has solutions to offer to everyone in their group, Chandan Ray Sanyal is the silliest of them all in the group, Jackky Bhagnani plays the funny bone, who loves to make fun of everyone, Riteish Deshmukh is the one with too much creativity to offer, Pooja Gupta is a freaky, non- marriage material girl, who is obsessed with listening to music whereas Angad Bedi is a dumbo, with a soft and sweet heart. The boys and the girl stay together and enjoy the life together. However, things change when they undergo a life changing experience.

The satire on the educational system tries to highlight the message that students should not be forced to study by their parents. Instead they should be given the freedom to choose what they wish to do.

Movie carries a message for the modern age parents and kids in a funny and lighthearted way. A must watch this weekend.

A word on 'Faltu' tracks, the music has already received a great response from the audience as its popular track 'Char Baj Gaaye' has been topping charts ever since it came on air. Sachin Jigar and Sameer are the music directors for the film's music. In all, 'Faltu' is a fun film to watch this weekend.

Rating: Three Cheers to this one!